Electrical safety in your home

Did you know that over half of the accidental domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity? Faulty or misused electrical products are the main cause of electrical fires, and most of these begin in the kitchen. Read our top tips in electrical safety below.

Tips to keep your home and loved ones safe from electrical fires.

Let us carry out electrical inspections. We inspect and test the electrical installation in your home every 5 years to ensure safety and compliance with relevant regulations – known as an EICR. This also includes testing any equipment we own. As your landlord, we are legally required to carry out this periodic check, known as EICR and it is essential to make sure your home is safe.

Don’t overload adaptors by plugging many appliances into one socket, especially those with high electrical current ratings such as kettles, irons and heaters.

Check appliance cables aren’t damaged and the plug is fastened securely to the cable. Regularly check plugs and sockets for burn marks, crackling sounds or if it feels hot to the touch.

Don’t DIY. Any electrical works must be carried out by a qualified electrician. If you need to make alterations to electrical wiring, please contact us to discuss this as you’ll need our permission.

Check your smoke alarms are working throughout the year by pressing the ‘test’ button. Contact us straight away if they aren’t working.

Only buy electrical goods from a retailer you trust and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing. Find out how to spot substandard electrical products online in this ‘Don’t be electricked’ article.

Turn off appliances when you’re not using them and don’t leave your washing machine or tumble dryer on if you’re out of the house or overnight. You can also check whether an appliance has had a safety recall using Electrical Safety First’s electrical product checker.

Only charge e-bikes, e-scooters, mobile phones and other appliances with lithium-ion batteries when you are awake and never overnight while you’re sleeping. Find out more about lithium-ion battery safety.